Making mini havdallah candles (for travel, gift/hospitality bakets, etc.)

I like to make little "havdallah kits" to put in gift/hospitality baskets. These are appreciated when a family is having an event with many people visiting from out of town. We put them in the hospitality baskets (left at the hotel or host families.)

The kits contain: a matchbook; a small circle of tulle, wrapped around a few cloves and bits of cinnamon sticks, tied with a ribbon, to serve as besamim (spices); and a mini havdallah candle.

I like to print address labels with "Shavua tov from xxx family", or "Thank you for helping celebrate xxx's bar mitzvah" and place them on the matchbook covers, or on top of the kit's box.

Here's how to make the mini-havdallah candles:

1. Collect a bunch of chanukah candles in contrasting colors. I like to use blue and white.
2. Pour boiling water into a bowl.
3. Using tongs, dip two candles in the hot water, allowing the wax to soften for half a minute. Remove them quickly and twist together.
4. Trim the bottom with scissors.

We also use these kits for ourselves when we travel.